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My role was to provide overall support, substantive and programming input into the preparations for COP23. My tasks included supporting the coordination and selection for events organized by the City of Bonn, and side events and exhibits for non-admitted organisations. I was responsible for delivering partnership agreements with different organisations for the COP, revamping the guide for observers and supporting preparation for the Presidency’s Open Dialogue in close cooperation with the Government of Fiji. I was also responsible for coordinating and monitoring media stunts and publicity of NGOs/civil society at the Bonn Zone in close coordination with the Government of Germany and the responsible authorities for security. During in‐sessions I supported the facilitation of observer interventions at the High Level Segment To help take stock of COP 23 and our performance, I provided substantive and strategic inputs to the post‐COP 23 analysis.

Research and writing a paper that reviews the advances in Protected Area Governance for deliberation at the IUCN World Parks Congress, Sydney, November 2014.

Founded after the 6th COP in Den Haag, the Netherlands (April 2002), The Convention on Biological Diversity Alliance (CBD Alliance)is a loose network of activists and representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), social movements and Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations (IPOs) advocating for improved and informed participation in CBD processes. The Alliance does not act as a representative of civil society organizations (CSOs) around the CBD, nor does it speak for the diversity of civil society’s voices. Rather, it exists in order to facilitate more diverse, coordinated, and effective civil society input into CBD policy-making and processes. The Alliance is open to all CSOs working progressively on CBD issues and is governed by a representative board, democratically selected from the community. The CBD Alliance has as its ongoing mandate and mission: to ensure the diverse and effective participation of civil society in CBD processes - which are typically the purview of global elites, and increasingly, under the influence of powerful private sector forces.

I was also an active member of Kalpavriksh Environment Action Group and participated in the activities and planning for several projects. Some of them are listed below.1. Strategic Direction on Governance, Communities, Equity, and Livelihood Rights in Relation to Protected Areas (TILCEPA) www.tilcepa.org (April 2003 to December 2008)Assistant to the co-chair of the IUCN- WCPA/CEESP TILCEPA: an international network of people that work under the umbrella of IUCN to promote and advocate the rights and roles of Indigenous People and Local Communities in conservation. 2. Community Conserved Areas (CCAs) in South Asia: Towards an Understanding of their Conservation and Livelihood Security Values” (August 2008 – August 2009)I am co-Coordinator of a project on Community Conserved Areas (CCAs) in South Asia (Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka). The project aimed at deepening the understanding of the CCA phenomenon with respect to the types of CCAs that can still be found in the South Asian region, or are newly emerging, and their status. The work involved building the proposal and planning the strategy and flow of the study, primary research and visits to all countries (except Pakistan) to meet with the relevant people and organizations including government authorities, and site visits to the cases documented in the study. The project has organized two workshops3. International Honors Programme – (IHP) (December 2008)Coordinated a 10 day programme for the IHP students from Boston University in Pune.4. Study on Conservation and People’s Livelihood Rights in India (2005-2006)I was a team member to a research project that looked at the impacts of India’s conservation policies and programmes on the livelihoods and livelihood rights of the ecosystem- dependent communities. The final project report was presented and submitted to UNESCO in Lisbon.

2. Pune Tree Watch: A citizens action group and network (July 2005 – Ongoing)I started the Pune Tree Watch (www.punetreewatch.org) campaign under the aegis of Kalpavriksh to bring together citizens, NGO’s and government alike to save and also increase the green cover of Pune. I remain the coordinator of the group. Pune Tree Watch has so far led activities that help engage the government and the people alike. The mandate of Pune Tree Watch is to expand the citizen network and their level of awareness with regards to the Maharashtra Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975 and encourage them to take action whenever possible. Pune Tree Watch has in this period become a strong support and action group.

Consulting as a senior programme officer in Janwani (www.janwani.org). My tasks involve interactions with a range of stakeholders and the authorities of the Pune Municipal Corporation. The activities and work I have been involved in so far are contributing to the Pune Municipal Corporation with the Environment Status Report (2008-09), assisting with the development of a GIS based Accident Reporting Software for the Pune Traffic Police, a Solid Waste Management survey and review on compost pits for post 2009 housing societies, a Budget analysis of the Pune Municipal Corporation for 2009-10 and organising various workshops and events on environment related issues